Flush top cooking unit with ventilating means

ABSTRACT

A flush top cooking unit wherein the heating element therefor has a broad heating surface which is disposed adjacent to but spaced from the underside of an exposed imperforate thermal conductive plate. Encircling the perimeter of the heating surface and in sealing engagement with the plate underside is an upright thermal shield. The plate underside and the thermal shield cooperate with the heating surface to form a broad but shallow passageway through which air circulates and scrubs the plate underside.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James E. Hurley I Chattanooga, Tenn.[21] AppL No. 764,780 [22] Filed Oct. 3, 1968 [45] Patented June 22,1971 [73] Assignee Modern Maid, Inc.

Chattanooga, Tenn.

[54] FLUSH TOP COOKING UNIT WITH VENTILATING MEANS 10 Claims, 10 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 219/460, 219/343, 219/461, 219/464 [51] Int. Cl 1105b 3/68[50] Field 01 Search 219/444-2, 445-7, 460-1, 400, 7-5, 531; 6/6,41l414, 358, 3-4, 343, 7; 263/8; 13/25 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,045,100 7/1962 Mills 219/358 X g 10/1962 Pederson..,.219/343 Primary Examiner-Velodymyr Y. Mayewsky Attorney-Pendleton,Neuman, Williams & Anderson ABSTRACT: A flush top cooking unit whereinthe heating element therefor has a broad heating surface which isdisposed adjacent to but spaced from the underside of an exposedimperforate thermal conductive plate. Encircling the perimeter of theheating surface and in sealing engagement with the plate underside is anupright thermal shield. The plate underside and the themial shieldcooperate with the heating surface to form a broad but shallowpassageway through which air circulates and scrubs the plate underside.

FLUSH TOP COOKING UNIT WITH VENTILATING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Various flush top cooking units have heretofore been proposedwhich are adapted primarily for domestic type cooking. Such units,however, because of certain design characteristics, have been beset withnumerous shortcomings. For example, because of the high localizedconcentration of heat at various areas of the exposed flush top plate,the plate becomes highly susceptible to breakage. Secondly, asubstantial cool down period is often required for the top platesubsequent to the heater or heating means being deactivated.Furthermore, because of the heat retention characteristics of the topplate utilized in said prior units, undesirable overshooting"f theprescribed cooking temperature frequently occurs which adversely affectsthe palatable nature of the food being cooked. Lastly, installation,maintenance and servicing costs associated with prior units areoftentimes inordinately high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of this invention toprovide a flush top cooking unit which avoids the aforenotedshortcomings of the prior units.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a flush top cookingunit which has a pleasing esthetic appearance and may be readilyinstalled in counter tops, standing ranges, slipin ranges, etc.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a flush top cookingunit wherein the controls therefor are completely recessed from theexposed top surface, are readily accessible for manipulation, whendesired, and when not in use may be concealed from view.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a flush topcooking unit wherein the heating means therefor are shielded andprotected against any soiling or damage caused by spilling liquids,food, or other foreign particles on the exposed top surface.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a flush topcooking unit, wherein the exposed top surface thereof is free of anyprojections or obstructions which might interfere with the use of thetop surface for cooking or for use as a counter top or work area.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a flush topcooking unit wherein the top plate which overlies the heating means hasthe portion of the underside thereof in registration with the heatingmeans subjected to continuous scrubbing by circulating air therebypermitting an intense flow of infrared radiation topass through the topplate while holding the conductive heat levels within the limits of thetop plate.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a flush top cookingunit is provided which is adapted to be installed within a suitableopening formed in a substantially flat supporting surface. The unitincludes a heating means having a broad upper heating surface and a heatconductive imperforate top panel having the underside thereof overlying,in closely spaced relation, the said heating surface so as to form ashallow passageway. The heating surface is delimited by a plurality ofinlet ports and is provided with a discharge port spaced inwardly fromthe perimeter of said surface. Both the inlet and discharge portscommunicate with the passageway. Encompassing the heating surface andthe inlet ports is an upstanding thermal shield which sealingly engagesthe underside of the top panel. Blower means is provided which is incommunication with the discharge port and thereby causes air to becirculated through the passageway and scrub the top panel underside.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should bemade to the drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective top view of one form of the cookingunit shown mounted on a flat supporting surface and with the manualcontrols therefor concealed from view;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing the manual controls exposed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective exploded top view of the cookingunit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 but with the imperforate top panels removedso as to show the relative positioning of the heating means, thecontrols therefor, and the blower housing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram for the manual controls shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of one form ofheating means; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through oneform of collector chamber and showing the bottom of the chamber gasketedfrom the bottom of the inner housing.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS.1 and 2, a flush top cooking unit I0 is shown mounted within a suitableopening 11, see FIG. 4, formed within a substantially flat supportingsurface 12. The supporting surface 12 may be a kitchen counter, topsurface of a standing range, or the like.

The unit 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes an outer, open tophousing 13, see FIG. 3, formed from suitable sheet metal material. Thehousing 13 is provided with a bottom panel 14 which is delimited byupstanding sidewalls 15. The bottom panel 14 or opposed sidewalls may beprovided with a plurality of small openings 16 disposed in the marginalportion of panel 14, see FIG. 3, or along the bottom edges of thesidewalls 15, not shown. The function of these openings will bediscussed more fully hereinafter. The outside dimension andconfiguration of the outer housing 13 closely approximate the perimeterof the opening 11 formed in the supporting surface 12.

Disposed within the outer housing 13 is an inner, open top housing 17,which is also formed from suitable sheet metal material. Housing 17includes a bottom panel 18 and upstanding sidewalls 20 which terminateat their upper edges in outwardly projecting flanges 21. The sidewalls20 are preferably provided with a lamina 19 of thermal insulativematerial, see FIGS. 5 and 7. The flanges 21 may, if desired, be securedby any suitable means to the corresponding sidewalls 15 of the outerhousing I3.

The respective dimensions of the inner and outer housings are such thatthe bottoms are spaced relative to one another as is the case with therespective sidewalls. Thus, a spacing 22 is formed between the housings.The portion of the spacing 22 between the bottom panels 14 and I8 ispreferably filled with suitable thermal insulating material 23. Theremainder of the spacing 22, on the other hand, is open so that air maycirculate therethrough in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Positioned within the inner housing 17 are a plurality of heaters orheating means 24 which are electrically energized. The heaters 24 in theillustrated embodiment are arranged in two spaced rows of two heaterseach and each row extends from front to rear. Thus, there are two front(RF & LF) and two rear (RR & LR) heaters or sometimes referred to asburners, see FIG. 4. Each heater is of like construction and in theillustrated embodiment comprises a ceramic plate 25 having a broad upperheating surface 26, see FIG. 9. Embedded in surface 26 is a highresistance wire 27. The center of the plate 25 provided with an enlargedopening 28, see FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 9.

Each heater of a row rests upon a ceramic base panel 30. Because of thearrangement of the rows there are two base panels 30. Each panel 30 isprovided with a plurality of inlet ports 31 which are arranged in such away as to delimit the heating surface 26 of a heater, see FIGS. 4 and 9.The ports 31, in turn, are delimited by a ringlike thermal shield 32which extends upwardly from the panel 30. The shield 32, as illustratedin FIG. 9, includes a metallic bracket 32a to the top of which isaffixed a gasket 32b of thermal insulative material.

Overlying the broad surface 26 of the heater 24 and in spaced relationwith respect thereto is an imperforate plate 33 of thermal conductivematerial (e.g., glass). In the illustrated embodiment, two plates 33 areprovided, one for each row of heaters 24. The plate 33, in addition tobeing imperforate, must be inflexible, strong, and shock-resistant, evenwhen subjected to high temperature (e.g., 1500 F.); and, in addition,must be attractive in appearance and capable of being readily cleanedwith a damp cloth or the like. The underside of plate 33 is in sealingengagement with the shield gasket 32b, see FIG. 9. Thus, by reason ofthe relative positioning of the heater surface 26, the underside ofplate 30, the thermal shield 32 with respect to the perimeter of theceramic plate 25, and the plurality of ports 31, a broad shallowpassageway 34 is formed through which air is circulated, see directionalarrows in FIG. 9, in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

Disposed beneath base panel 30 and in registered relation therewith is acollector chamber 35, which may also be formed of suitable sheet metalmaterial. Thebottom of the chamber 35 may, ifdesired, be formed by thebottom 18 of the inner housing 17, see FIGS. -7, or may be a separatepanel 350 which is spaced from the bottom 18 of the inner housing 17 andseparated therefrom by a suitable thermal insulative gasket 29, see FIG.10. The upperside of chamber 35 is provided with a pair of spaced inletports 36a and 36b, see FIG. 7, each being vertically aligned with theopening 28 formed in a corresponding heater 24. Normally the top of thecollector chamber 35 is disposed approximately one inch (1) beneathpanel 30. A pipe connection 37, may be utilized to connect the heateropening 28 with the respective port 36a or 36b of the collector chamber35, see FIGS. 5,7 and 9.

The sidewalls 20 and bottom 18 of the inner housing 17, the respectivebase plate 30 and upper portion of the collector chamber 35,allcooperate with one another to form a cavity 38. One side of thecavity is formed by a partition 40 which extends from the bottom 18 ofthe inner housing 17 to a frame member 41 which overlies the marginalportion of the imperforate top plate 33. The frame member 41 will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

The partitions 40, which cooperate with the respective row of heaters,are in spaced substantially parallel relation with respect to oneanother and define the sidewalls of an elongated well 42. Well 42separates the rows of heaters and aceommodates a control assembly 43 anda blower unit 44.

Formed in each partition 40 and substantially centrally thereof is anelongated opening 45 which interconnects the well 42 with the adjacentcavity 38. Thus, ambient air is supplied to each cavity from the well42.

Overlying the well 42 is an imperforate plate 46 which is held by acentral portion 41a of the frame 41. Disposed rearwardly of plate 46 isan exhaust port 47 for the blower unit 44. Disposed within the port 47is a louver 48, see FIG. 3, which may be adjustable, if desired, tocontrol the direction of flow of the exhaust air from the blower unit tothe outside of the cooking unit. The exposed surfaces of plates 33 and46 are in substantially coplanar or flush relation with respect to theexposed supporting surface 12.

Mounted forwardly of plate 46 is an opening 50 which communicates withthe well 42. The opening 50 is in registered relation with the controlassembly 43, the latter being disposed within the well and at theforward end thereof so as to be readily accessible for manualadjustment. Slidably mounted on the underside of the portion of theframe circumjacent the opening 50 is a cover 51. The cover is capable ofbeing manually adjusted to its retracted or fully open position A,asseen in FIG. 2, or its fully closed or forward position B, as seen inFIG. 1. When the cover 51 is in position B, it is in substantiallycoplanar relation with respect to plate 46 and conceals the wholecontrol assembly 43 from view and protects same from liquid, food orforeign particles.

On the other hand, when cover 51 is in position A, the control assembly43 is exposed and a switch 52, see FIG. 8, is actuated thereby causingthe blower unit 44 to become automatically actuated. The switch 52, seeFIG. 6, is mounted on the underside of the frame central portion 41a andin the path of movement of the cover 51, when it reaches its fullyopened position. The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 8 will be describedmore fully hereinafter.

A conventional spring-loaded detent, not shown, may be provided toretain the cover 51 in its retracted position. To release the cover fromits retracted position in such a case, would require only a slightdownward pressure being exerted on the forward edge 51a of the cover 51.

The control assembly 43 in the illustrated embodiment includes aplurality of heat selector switches 53, 54, 55 and 56; one heat selectorswitch being provided for each heater 24. The switches 53-56 arearranged in a clustered relation on a bracket 57, see FIGS. 4-6. Thebracket 57 is secured to the bottom 18 of the inner housing 17 whichforms a part of the well 42. The surface 57a of the bracket on which theswitches 53-56 are mounted is elevated with respect to the bottomsurface 18. The front and rear sides of the bracket are open so that airmay be readily circulated beneath surface 57a, when the blower unit isactuated, and thus provide a cooling effect upon the switches 53-56.

Each switch 53-56 may be of a conventional bimetal time relay typewherein when the knob thereof is rotated from its off" position, currentbegins to flow through the resistance wire 27. The period of time thecurrent will flow through the wire 27 will be determined by the settingof the knob which in turn will vary what effect the warpage of thebimetal element will have on making and breaking the circuit contact.

Disposed within well 42 and behind bracket 57 is a mixing chamber 58,see FIG. 6, which is in communication with the discharge opening 60, seeFIG. 7, of each collector chamber 35. The rear end of mixing chamber 58is provided with a discharge port 61, over which is positioned a cowl orhood 62. The cowl 62, in turn, is connected to the suction side of theblower unit 44.

The blower unit, which is positioned within the well 42 and at the rearthereof, includes a housing 63 in which is disposed the blower impeller,not shown. One side of the blower housing is open and in registrationwith a side of the cowl 62. In addition to the open side, the housinghas a second intake opening 63a formed in the end wall, see FIG. 3.Opening 63a is in communication with the spacing 22 formed between theouter and inner housings l3 and 17. Circulation of ambient air withinspacing 22 is effected by reason of the inlet ports 16, see FIG. 3, andthe opening 63a of the blower housing. The top wall of the housing 63 isprovided with a discharge port 63b,which in turn is in registration withopening 47 formed in the frame central portion 41a.

The blower unit motor 64 is mounted on the end of the housing 63opposite opening 630 and within spacing 22. There is provided on the endof the blower unit housing 63, on which the motor 64 is mounted, one ormore openings, not shown, which are connected to the suction side of theblower thereby assuring that ambient air circulates past the motor 64and cools same.

As seen in FIG. 8, switch 52, which is normally open and is actuatedinto a closed position by retracting cover 51, causes blower 64 to beactuated whereupon a magnetic switch 65, or a vane type switch ifdesired, which is biased by a spring or the like to a normally openposition, is moved to a closed position thereby causing the individualheat selector switches 53-56 to be electrically alive. Each of theselector switches is of like construction and is provided with a knobwhich is capable of being manually adjusted to various selectedpositions. As

previously noted, each of said switches is of conventional design andmay be a bimetal type, if desired.

As seen in FIG. 8, the line voltage is preferably 240 v. with a centerground wire. The blower 64 and switch 52 are connected in series andacross only one-half the line voltage (i.e., l v.). Once the blower 64is actuated, magnetic switch 65 is closed. It should be noted that whenswitch 65 is closed, the full line voltage (220 v.) is available forselector switch 56. The remaining selector switches 53-55 are arrangedin parallel connection with each other as well as switch 56 byappropriate wiring 57a-b. Each of the selector switches is adjustableindependently of the other and is connected in series with thecorresponding resistance wire 27.

When any of the heaters 24 are actuated by manipulation of therespective selector switch, the blower 44 will already be operatingwhereby ambient air will be circulated within space 34 as indicated bythe flow arrows shown in FIG. 9. This circulation will provide ascrubbing effect on the underside of the imperforate panel 33. Thisscrubbing effect is important because (a) it permits the utilization offull heat application beneath panel 33 without exceeding the temperaturelimits of the panel; (b) it accelerates cool down of the exposed surfaceof the panel 33, provided the cover 51 remains in its retracted positionA; (c) it provides a quicker reaction to the tum down requirements asdictated by the selector switch knob, by reducing the heat retentioncharacteristics of the panel 33; and (d) it controls the overshoot"characteristic of the heater by quickly pulling heat from a givenmassgarea. The overshoot" characteristic is a condition, which oftenoccurs in prior electrical cooking devices, wherein the desired co0kingtemperature is exceeded even though the heater is turned off. Thiscondition is caused by the heat retention properties of the electricalelements and other surrounding mass.

As aforedescribed, the actuation of the blower 44 causes a constant flowof ambient air past the control or selector switches thereby preventingoverheating of the same. There is also a continuous air circulation inthe spacing 22 between the outer and inner housings thereby keeping thesides of the outer housing relatively cool so as to not overheat oradversely affect the structural supporting members surrounding the unit10.

Thus, it will be seen that a flush top cooking unit has been providedwhich is simple to install, permits accurate control of the individualheaters, protects the heaters against spilled liquids, food or otherforeign particles, and permits the working or cooking area to be free ofany undesirable protuberances. ln addition, the cooking unit permits anintense flow of infrared radiation from the individual heaters to passthrough the portions of the imperforate top plate overlying same withoutexceeding the limits of conductive heat of the top plate.

While several embodiments of the invention have heretofore beendescribed, it is to be understood, of course, that the invention is notlimited thereto, but further modifications are contemplated and it isintended by the appended claims to cover such modifications.

Iclaim:

l. A cooking unit for mounting within an opening formed in asubstantially flat supporting surface, said unit comprising a firsthousing positionable within the surface opening, said housing having abottom delimited by upstanding sidewalls; a second housing disposedwithin and supported by said first housing, said second housing having abottom delimited by upstanding sidewalls, the bottoms and respectivesidewalls of said housings being in relatively spaced relation;electrical heating means disposed within said second housing, saidheating means having a broad upper heating surface provided with anexhaust port spaced a substantial distance from the perimeter of saidheating surface, said heating surface being delimited by a plurality ofinlet ports; a first plate of thermal insulating material for supportingsaid heating means, said plate overlying and being secured to saidsecond housing; a thermal shield extending upwardly from said firstplate and enthereof positionable in substantial flush relation withrespect to the portion of the supporting surface circumjacent theopening formed therein, the underside of said second plate being insealing engagement with said thermal shield and disposed in spacedrelation with respect to said heating surface so as to form a passagewaythrough which air is circulated to effect uniform heating of the upperexposed surface of said second plate in registration with said broadupper heating surface of said heating means, said passagewaycommunicating with the interior of said second housing through saidplurality of inlet ports delimiting said heating surface andcommunicating with said collecting chamber through said exhaust portformed in said heating means; blower means having the suction sidethereof communicating with the discharge port formed in said collectingchamber, the discharge side of said blower means exhausting outside saidfirst housing; and control means operatively connected to said blowermeans and said heating means for actuating same.

2. The cooking unit of claim 1 wherein said control means is disposedwithin the interior of said second housing and is recessed with respectto the exposed surface of said second plate.

3. The cooking unit of claim 2 including an adjustably mounted cover forsaid recessed control means, said cover means being adjustable to openand closed positions; said cover, when in said closed position,concealing said control means and having the exposed surface thereofdisposed in substantially flush relation with respect to the exposedsurface of said second plate.

4. The cooking unit of claim 3 including switch means connected to saidblower means and said control means and operative by said cover when thelatter is adjusted to said open position whereby said blower means isautomatically actuated.

5. The cooking unit of claim 1 whereby the bottom of said first housingis perforated and the suction side of said blower means is also incommunication with the spacing formed between said housings.

6. The cooking unit of claim 1 whereby the sidewalls of said secondhousing are thermally insulated.

7-. The cooking unit of claim 6 including gasketing means disposedbetween said collecting chamber and the bottom of said second housing.

8. The cooking unit of claim 1 including additional heating means oflike construction, all of said heating means being arranged in at leasttwo parallel spaced rows, the control means for said heating means beingrecessed within said second housing and beneath the exposed surface ofsaid second plate and disposed intermediate a pair of spaced rows.

9. The cooking unit of claim 8 including an adjustable cover mountedadjacent said recessed control means, said cover, when in a firstposition of adjustment, overlying and concealing said control means andhaving the exposed surface of said cover substantially flush with theexposed surface of said second plate; said cover, when in a secondposition of adjustment, exposing said control means for manualmanipulation of the latter and actuating said blower means wherebyoutside air is circulated by said blower means into contact with saidcontrol means and through said passageway beneath the underside of saidsecond plate.

10. The cooking unit of claim 1 wherein said thermal shield delimits aplurality of ports arranged in encircling relation with respect to theperimeter of said heating surface; said heating surface is substantiallyair impervious except for a port disposed substantially centrallythereof, said ports being in communication with said passageway and saidblower means.

1. A cooking unit for mounting within an opening formed in asubstantially flat supporting surface, said unit comprising a firsthousing positionable within the surface opening, said housing having abottom delimited by upstanding sidewalls; a second housing disposedwithin and supported by said first housing, said second housing having abottom delimited by upstanding sidewalls, the bottoms and respectivesidewalls of said housings being in relatively spaced relation;electrical heating means disposed within said second housing, saidheating means having a broad upper heating surface provided with anexhaust port spaced a substantial distance from the perimeter of saidheating surface, said heating surface being delimited by a plurality ofinlet ports; a first plate of thermal insulating material for supportingsaid heating means, said plate overlying and being secured to saidsecond housing; a thermal shield extending upwardly from said firstplate and encircling the plurality of inlet ports delimiting saidheating surface; an air collecting chamber disposed within said secondhousing and positioned beneath said heating means, said chamber havingan input port connected to the exhaust port of said heating means and adischarge port spaced from said input port; an imperforate second plateformed of thermal conductive material overlying said housings and saidheating means, said second plate having the upper exposed surfacethereof positionable in substantial flush relation with respect to theportion of the supporting surface circumjacent the opening formedtherein, the underside of said second plate being in sealing engagementwith said thermal shield and disposed in spaced relation with respect tosaid heating surface so as to form a passageway through which air iscirculated to effect uniform heating of the upper exposed surface ofsaid second plate in registration with said broad upper heating surfaceof said heating means, said passageway communicating with the interiorof said second housing through said plurality of inlet ports delimitingsaid heating surface and communicating with said collecting chamberthrough said exhaust port formed in said heating means; blower meanshaving the suction side thereof communicating with the discharge portformed in said collecting chamber, the discharge side of said blowermeans exhausting outside said first housing; and control meansoperatively connected to said blower means and said heating means foractuating same.
 2. The cooking unit of claim 1 wherein said controlmeans is disposed within the interior of said second housing and isrecessed with respect to the exposed surface of said second plate. 3.The cooking unit of claim 2 including an adjustably mounted cover forsaid recessed control means, said cover means beinG adjustable to openand closed positions; said cover, when in said closed position,concealing said control means and having the exposed surface thereofdisposed in substantially flush relation with respect to the exposedsurface of said second plate.
 4. The cooking unit of claim 3 includingswitch means connected to said blower means and said control means andoperative by said cover when the latter is adjusted to said openposition whereby said blower means is automatically actuated.
 5. Thecooking unit of claim 1 whereby the bottom of said first housing isperforated and the suction side of said blower means is also incommunication with the spacing formed between said housings.
 6. Thecooking unit of claim 1 whereby the sidewalls of said second housing arethermally insulated.
 7. The cooking unit of claim 6 including gasketingmeans disposed between said collecting chamber and the bottom of saidsecond housing.
 8. The cooking unit of claim 1 including additionalheating means of like construction, all of said heating means beingarranged in at least two parallel spaced rows, the control means forsaid heating means being recessed within said second housing and beneaththe exposed surface of said second plate and disposed intermediate apair of spaced rows.
 9. The cooking unit of claim 8 including anadjustable cover mounted adjacent said recessed control means, saidcover, when in a first position of adjustment, overlying and concealingsaid control means and having the exposed surface of said coversubstantially flush with the exposed surface of said second plate; saidcover, when in a second position of adjustment, exposing said controlmeans for manual manipulation of the latter and actuating said blowermeans whereby outside air is circulated by said blower means intocontact with said control means and through said passageway beneath theunderside of said second plate.
 10. The cooking unit of claim 1 whereinsaid thermal shield delimits a plurality of ports arranged in encirclingrelation with respect to the perimeter of said heating surface; saidheating surface is substantially air impervious except for a portdisposed substantially centrally thereof, said ports being incommunication with said passageway and said blower means.